Casket placer



May 14, 1940. J. R. SMETANA CASKET PLACER Filed July 26, 1939 3Sheets-Sheet 1 mm 7 mY m May 14, 1940. J. R. SMETANA CASKET PLACER FiledJuly 26, 1939 s Sheets-Sheet a Patented May 14, 1940 UNITED STAT Edenerover-es 6 Claims.

This invention relates to a casket placer.

The invention aims to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, .aplacer for conveniently positioning a casket relative to a loweringdevice, arranged over the grave for the casket.

The invention further aims to provide, in a manner as hereinafter setforth, a casket placer for facilitating the position of a casketrelative to a casket lowering device disposed relative to a grave.

The invention further aims to provide, in a manner as hereinafter setforth, a casket placer for the purpose referred to capable of beingremovably positioned on a casket lowering device. The invention furtheraims to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a casket placerfor the purpose referred to capable of being readily assembled anddisassembled and when assembled quickly installed with respect to acasket lowering device disposed over and about a grave.

The invention further aims to provide, in a manner as hereinafter setforth, a casket placer capable of being expeditiously assembled anddisassembled and when disassembled stored in a comparatively smallspace. v The invention further aims to provide, in a manner ashereinafter set forth; a casket'placer for the purpose referred toincluding means whereby the casket may be conveniently slid by thepallbearers to a position in relation to a lowering device thereforarranged at a grave.

. The invention further aims to provide, in a manner as hereinafter setforth, a casket placer for the purpose set forth having means for releasably supporting it from, on and over a casket lowering device.

lhe invention further aims to provide, in a manner as hereinafter setforth, a casket placer for the purpose referred to capable of beingadjusted relative to its length and width.

The invention further aims to provide, in a manner as hereinafter setforth, a casket placer for the purpose referred to including a framecapable of being adjusted to length and width and constituting a trackforming means and a carriagc slidably mounted on said means and capableof being adjusted relative to width.

The invention further aims to provide, in a manner as hereinafter setforth, a casket placer for the purpose referred to including trackforming means for a slidable carriage having a vertically adjustablebody and a supporting roller at the rear end of said means capable ofbeing vertically adjusted to align with the body of the carrier.

manner as hereinafter set forth, a casket placer for the purposereferred to which is simple in its construction and arrangement, strong,durable, conveniently installed with respect to a casket lowering devicedisposed relative to a grave, thoroughly efllcient in its use, quicklyremoved from said lowering device and expeditiously disassembled andcomparatively inexpensive to manufacture.

Embodying the aims aforesaid and others which may hereinafter appear,the invention consists of thenovel construction; combination andarrangemen-t of parts as will be more specifically described andillustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein is shown embodimentsof the invention, but it is to be understood that changes, variae tionsand modifications may be resorted to which fall within the scope of theinvention as claimed.

In the drawings- Figure 1 is a top plan view of a casket placer inaccordance with this invention showing the v adaptation thereofwith'respe'ct to a casket lowering device, a

. Figure :2 is a side elevation of a casket placer in accordance withthis invention showing the adaptation thereof with respect to a casket10wering device, the latterbeing partly shown in sections, c

Figure 3 is a section on line 3--3 Figure 1, Figure 4 is a section online 4-4 Figure 1,

Figure-5 is a detail in longitudinal section of one end of the casketplacer,

Figure 6 is a detail in transverse section, Figure 7 is a top plan viewof arinodified form of a casket placer in accordance with this inventionand further illustrating the adaptation of the placer with a casketlowering device, the placer being partly in section and the loweringdevic illustrated in dotted lines, l

Figure 8 is a section on line 8-8 Figure 7, Figure 9 is a section online 9-@ Figure 8, Figure 1D is a section on line iii- Figure 7. Figureii is a cross sectional View illustrating the position of the carriageupon a vault base, and Figure 12 is a cross sectional view of a modifiedform of track forming means.

Referring to, Figures 1, 2, 3, 4 and 7 of the drawings, a casketlowering device of well-known form is indicated at l and it includes aset of spaced supports 2 formed with flanges 3. supports 2 extend intovertically disposed socket members 4 and with the flanges 3 of thesupports 2 seated on the upper ends of the members 4. Binding screws 5for the supports 2 are carried by the members 4. As is well-known acasket lowering device includes a pair of oppositely revolublelengthwise adjustable shafts 6 from which unwind the lowering belts l.The device 2 also includes lengthwise adjustable end members 8, eachformed of a pair of telescopic sections 9, Ill. The shafts 6 are alsoformed of a pair of telescopic sections H, l2. The shafts 6 and endmembers 8 are connected to the supports 2. .As is well-known a casketlowering device includes suitable means for operating the shafts 6 forthe purpose of winding and unwinding the belts l. The lowering device Ias shown is provided with telescopic adjustable suspension rods 63connected to the members 4, as at M for suspending green silk plushdraperies, not shown at the side and end walls of the grave.

With reference to Figures 1 to 6, they illustrate a casket placer [5 inaccordance with this invention and which includes a frame w formed of apair of side members I6 of like form, but oppositely disposed and a pairof end members I! of like form, but oppositely disposed. The frame 45*is adjustable relative to length and width. Each side member I6 isformed of a pair of sections l8, l9 of angle shape in transverse sectionto provide a vertical and a horizontal leg. The horizontal leg of thesection 19 is formed lengthwise thereof with a row of closely relatedopenings 20. The horizontal leg of the section 18 is formed with a setof openings 2|, preferably three in number and equally spaced from eachother. The section l8 of a side member l6 is mounted for a portion ofits length upon the horizontal leg 0 the section I9. The outer endterminal portion of the section I8 is bent inwardly at an angle, as at22. The outer end terminal. portion of the section I9 is bent inwardlyat an angle, as at 23. The openings 2| of the section I3 coact withselected openings 26 of the section IQ for the passage of removableholdfast devices 24 for detachably securing the sections of the framemembers I6 in adjusted position.

The horizontal legs of the sections of each frame.

member l6 provide a track. The tracks are arranged in parallel spacedrelation. The vertical legs of the sections l8, 19 of each frame memberl6 constitute a stop and they are arranged at the inner sides of thehorizontal legs of such sections.

The end members H are of like form and oppositely disposed and eachincludes a tubular 7 section 25 and a tubular section 26. The outer endterminal portions of the sections 25, 26 are disposed at an inwardinclination, as at 21, 26 respectively and seat againstthe inturned endterminal portions 22, 23 of the side frame members IS. The inturned endterminal portions of the sections 25, 26 of the end frame members I Iare compressed, as indicated at 29, Figure 6. A coupling piece 30 isemployed for connecting an end terminal portion of a frame member Hi toan end terminal portion of a frame member I! and in this connectionattention is directed to Figure 6. The coupling 36 is positioned againstthe outer face of an end terminal portion of a frame member 16 and bearsagainst and is seated upon an end terminal portion of a frame memberIll. The coupling 36, end terminal portion of a framemember I! and endportion of a frame member It are formed with registering openings 3|,32, 33 respectively. Extending through said registering openings is aheaded retaining pin 34 which is removable.

The sections of each end frame member I! are disposed in telescopicrelation thereby providing for adjusting the width of the frame 15Binding screws 35 are carried by the sections 25 and engage with thesections 28 of the end frame members I! thereby retaining sections of anend frame member in adjusted relation.

The sections 25 and 26 of the end frame members Ill are provided withoutwardly directed combined supports and coupling members 36 of likeform and each consists of an upper plate 31, a lower plate 38 secured tothe outer portion of a lower face of the plate 37, a shank 39 secured tothe inner portion of the lower face of the plate 31 and a hook 46depending from the outer end of the shank 38 and having its bill belowand spaced from the plate 38. Each end frame member is provided with apair of combined supporting and coupling members 36. Two of the saidmembers 36 are riveted or otherwise secured, as at 4! to the sections 26of the end frame members H. The other two members 36 are riveted orotherwise secured, as at 42 to the sections 25 of the frame members H.The members 36 which are secured to the sections 26 of the frame memberI! seat on and engage under the sections [0 :1

I is formed with two spaced pairs of openings.

The openings of each pair are indicated at 43,

44 and they are arranged in diametrically opposed relation with respectto section 25. Formed integral with the bottom of the section 25 of eachend frame member H are depending collars 45 which form continuations ofthe edges of the openings 44. Threadably engaging with each collar 45 isa set screw 46 for a purpose to be referred to. The section 26 of eachend frame The said members 36 member I? is formed lengthwise thereofwith 2.

pair of aligned slots 4'! with which the openings 43 and 44 communicate.Arranged over the section 25 of each end frame member I! is a verticallydisposed yoke 48 carrying a revoluble supporting roller 49.

lel stems 5! which extend down through the pairs of openings formed inthe section 25 and also through the slots 4'! formed in the section 26.the purpose of elevating and lowering the yoke 43. The stems 5| aresecured in their adjusted position by the set screws 45. The purpose ofadjusting the roller 49 is for aligning it with. th body part of aslidable carriage 52.

The carriage 52 is slidable on and removable from the tracks provided bythe side frame members 16 of the frame W The carriage 52 includes twospaced parallel'pairs of spaced inverted yokes or hangers. The hangersof one pair are indicated at 53. The hangers of the other pair aredesignated 64. Secured to the upper end of each yoke is a post orstandard 55. Mounted on each standard is a vertically adjustable collar56. The collars 56 are arranged Integral with the bight 56 of the yoke48 is a pair of vertically disposed paral- The stems 5! are verticallyadjustable for Gi l ' pair of telescopic sections ll, '58.

in pairs and each pair is connected together by a bar 51 disposed inlengthwise relation with respect to the frame i The inner side of eachcollar 56 is formed integral therewith a depending hanger 58.

The carriage 52 includes a. vertically ad justable" body part. Thecollars 55, bars El and hangers 58 form elements of said body part andthe latter also includes a pair of telescopic lengthwise adjustablesupporting members 59', dd. The said supporting members are providedwith means, as at ill for retaining them in adjustable position. Themembers at, (it are disposed in transverse relation with respect to theframe w and-provide for adjusting the wi th of the body part of thecarriage Each supporting member is formed of a pair of sections 52; 63'.The sections 62 of the supporting members are secured to one pair ofhangers 5t and the sections d3 of the supporting members are secured tothe other pair of hangers 53.

The body part of the carriage ii?! also includes a skeleton arrester (ii of. angle form which extends forwardly from the support 6!. Thearrester it is adjustable as to width and it includes a pair ofoppositely disposed telescopic parts 66 and each of which includes anupper portion 61 disposed in transverse relation with respect to theframe Hi (Figure 4), a vertical portion tit depending from the outer endof the portion ti and a lower portion f ll (Figure 3) extendingrearwardly from the lower end of the portion fill. The lower portions 59of the telescopic parts fill, (it are disposed longitudinally relativeto the frame M and are fixed at their rear ends with collars it securedto the sections E2, 63 of the member 85. The arrester lid is providedwith means, as at H for securing it in its adjusted positi on. Thehangers El i have revolubly connected therewith, aswell as dependingtherefrom rollers or casters it which travel on the tracks provided bythe horizontal legs of the side members ill of the frame I fi and arearrested from shifting outwardly relative to the frame members it by thevertical legs of said frame members.

It will be assumed that the casket placer it is in the position shown inFigure 1 and it is desired to arrange the casket relative to the devicel for the purpose of the latter lowering the casket into the grave. Whenthe casket placer is in the position shown in Figure 1 the roller id isaligned with the sections (-23 of the members Ed. The pallbearers at theforward end of the casket position such forward end on the roller ll-land slide it on the body part of the carriage lid to an extent to abutthe arrester G5. The casket is shoved in a forward direction whichcauses the carriage 52 to travel-in the same direction. The shifting ofthe casket is had until the belts l are arranged below and intermediatethe ends of the casket. The latter is then lifted at its forward end.and the carriage 52 removed and when removed the casket will seat uponthe belts l, and it is then lowered into the grave by means of thedevice i. After the casket has been lowered the frame it is detachedfrom the lowering device 5 and dismantled;

With reference to the modified form of the casket placer shown inFigures '5 to lb and generally indicated at '53, it includes a frame 'll having its side members "l5 form a pair of spaced parallel. tracks.The frame it includes a pair of end members it. The side members it of.the frame '?-i are of tubular form and consist of a The end menibers itare of tubular form and: formed of a pair of telescopic sections it, at;The side members it areof like form. The end. members 16ers of likeform. The side members 'lli' form tracks convex cross section. The endterminal portions of each side member 75 are compressed, as indicated 85' and extend at an inward inclination. The end terminal portions 8! ofeach side member l5 are oppositely outwardly inclined. The end terminalportions of each end member 16 is compressed, as at $2 and they extendinwardly at an inclination. The end terminal portions of each member itare oppositely outwardly inclined. Each end member 76 adjacent each endterminal portion thereof is shouldered, as at 83. The end terminalportions 82 of each end memborlt abut the inner faces of the sidemembers "5 The end terminal portions 8! of the side members 75 arepositioned against the outer faces of the end terminal portions 82 ofthe end memhers iii and abutthe shoulders 83. The end terminal portionsfi l of the side members l5 are do tachably secured to the end terminalportions 82 of the end members 16 by the holdfast means 84. The sectionill of the rear end member N5 of the frame in is provided with avertically adjustable roller structure for the same purpose andcorresponding in construction to the roller structure shown by Figure 5.

The modified form shown in Figures '7 to includes carriage 8G for thesame purpose of the carriage 52. The carriage 86 includes a body partformed of a pair of telescopic supports 81-, S8 of like form and eachformed of a pair of sections 88, so. Fixed to the sections 89 of saidsupports is a plate 95' having front and rear depending flanges iltlsecured to said sections 88 (Figure 9). Mounted on and fixed to thesections is a plate d3 having front and rear depending flanges Shl'fixed to said sections 9E The plate til is of. less length than theplate Qi. The

plate is also of less length than the sections 99.

The sections 99' extend into the sections 89 and the carriage isprovided with a suitable means, as indicated at ed for securing thesections 89 to sections 96 when the carriage 84 is adjusted. as towidth. The sections 89 extend from the plate 91, as well as dependtherefrom and provide hangers, as indicated at 9E. The sections tlilextend from the plate 93, as well as depend from the latter and providehangers, as indicated at 91. The hangers 96, 9% may be termed supportsand which carry spindles 98 for rollers or casters 98 having concavegrooves for travelling on the convexed tracks provided by the sidemembers "it of the frame M. The carriage 86 includes a skeleton arresterlllt which extends from the sections 39', 9d of the support $8. Thearrester ltd is substantially of the same form as the arrester Fi l andis also adjustable relative to width with relation to the body part ofthe carriage (it. The sections of the arrester indicated lti, it? aredisposed in telescopic relation. Means, indicated at N33 is for thepurpose of detachably securing the sections of the arrester inadjustable position.

The modified form of casket placer disclosed by Figures '7 to 10includes spaced means for supporting the frame "M from the loweringdevice and such means also provides for detachably connecting the frameit to the lowering device. The said spaced means are of likeconstruction and each consists, with reference to Figure 10, of abracket l lformed of a horizontally disposed arm 5% and a hook lfitintegral with the lower face of the arm I05 intermediate the ends of thelatter. The hook I06 depends from the arm I05 and has its bill IIlIarranged below and spaced from the outer portion of the arm I85. Theinner portion of the arm I05 has integral with its upper face avertically disposed annular lug I08 having a concave upper face 19. Thebracket I04 is formed with an opening III) which extends through therear end of the arm I05 and also through the lug I08. Two of thebrackets I0 5 are secured to and disposed in outwardly extended relationwith respect to the section ll of each side member I5. One of thebrackets I94 is secured to and extended outwardly from the section I9 ofeach end member I6. A bracket I0 5 is secured to and disposed atoutwardly extended relation with respect to the section of each endmember 78. The section I9 of each end member I6 will have formedintegral therewith a depending threaded bolt. Each section 80 of eachend member IE will be provided with a depending threaded bolt. Eachsection I? of each side member I5 will have formed integral therewith adepending threaded bolt. Each of said bolts is adapted to extend throughthe lug I68 and arm I05 in the manner as shown in Figure 10 and with thelug I08 bearing against that section of the frame I4 provided with thebolt (Figure 10). The said bolts are indicated at I II (Figure 10) andthe bolts are provided with clamping nuts II2 (Figure 10). When thebrackets I94 are secured to the side and end members of the frame I4 thearms I05 are to seat on the side and end members of the lowering deviceI I whereby the casket placer I3 will be supported.

from the lowering device and when the arms I are in the position asstated, the hooks of the brackets IM engage under the sides and ends ofthe frame of the lowering device and detachably connect the frame I4 tothe device I.

The modified form of the casket placer I3 shown by Figures 7 to 10functions in the same manner as the casket placer illustrated by Figures1 to 6. After the frame'M is detached from the lowering device I it isdismantled.

With reference to Figure 11 it discloses the use of the carriage withrespect to a vault base I13 which is to be supported at the top of thegrave by the lowering device I. The construction of the carriage is suchthat its body part will clear the top of the base H3 when the casket isbeing placed in position over said base. When the carriage is employedto place the casket relative to a vault base on the lowering device therollers or casters '52 travel on the upper lengthwise marginal portionsof base H3.

With reference to Figure 12 the modified form of a track forming meansconsists of a pair of sections H4, H5 which constitute a side member ofthe frame of the placer. The sections H4, H5 are disposed in telescopicrelation and are of angle shape in cross section to correspond to thecontour of the sections I3, l9. The section H4 is hollow. The section H5extends into the section IM. Otherwise than as stated the sections H4,H5 will conform in structure ,to the sections it, II! respectively.

What I claim is:

A casket placer for use in connection with a casket loweringdevice'having lowering belts, said placer including a fiat rectangularframe providing parallel tracks lengthwise thereof, oppositely disposedspaced means extended laterally from the frame adapted to be detachablyconnected to said device for suspending the frame above and in inwardlydisposed relation with respect to the said device, a carriage travellingon said tracks, and an arrestor bodily carried by and extended forwardlyfrom the carriage.

2. A casket placer for use in connection with a. casket lowering deviceof rectangular form having lowering belts, said placer including a flatrectangular frame providing parallel tracks lengthwise thereof, spacedmeans extended laterally from each end of the frame adapted to bedetachably connected to the ends of said device for suspending the frameabove and in inwardly disposed relation with respect to said device, acarriage travelling on said tracks, and an angleshaped arrestor of lesswidth than the carriage and bodily carried by and extended forwardlyfrom the carriage.

3. A casket placer for use in connection with a casket lowering deviceof rectangular form having lowering belts, said placer including alongitudinally and horizontally adjustable fiat frame providing paralleltracks lengthwise thereof, spaced means extended laterally from each endof the frame for detachable connection to the ends of the device forsuspending the frame above and in inwardly disposed relation withrespect to said device, a vertically and horizontally adjustablecarriage travelling on said tracks, a horizontally adjustableangle-shaped arrestor of less width than the carriage and bodily carriedby and extended forwardly from the carriage, a vertically adjustableyoke connected to the rear end of said frame, and a supporting rollermounted in the yoke.

4. A casket placer for use in connection with a casket lowering devicehaving lowering belts,

said placer including a rectangular frame providing parallel trackslengthwise thereof, spaced means extended laterally from the frame andbeing formed to abut the upper and lower faces of said device todetachably connect the frame to said device to thereby suspend the frameabove and in inwardly disposed relation with respect to said device, acarriage travelling on said tracks, and an arrestor bodily carried byand extended from the front of the carriage.

5. In a casket placer, a carriage for travelling over and in inwardlydisposed relation with respect to a casket lowering device, saidcarriage including two aligned spaced pairs of spaced verticallydisposed mobile parts, the parts of each pair of parts being connectedtogether, front and rear vertically and horizontally adjustable elementseach formed of a pair of telescopic sections, each of said elementsbeing slidably mounted on one of the parts of each of said pair of partsfor connecting one pair of said parts to the other pair of said parts,an upstanding horizontally adjustable arrestor formed of a pair ofvertically disposed angle-shaped sections having their upper portionsdisposed in telescopic relation, each section of the arrestor connectedat its lower end to a section of the front one of said elements, meanscarried by said elements for detachably securing them in adjustedpositions, and means carried by the said arrestor for detachablysecuring it in its adjusted position.

6. A casket placer for use in connection with a casket lowering deviceof rectangular form having lowering belts, said placer including a fiatrectangular frame element formed of a pair of sectional lengthwiseadjustable side members, a pair of sectional lengthwise adjustable endmembers and means for detachably connecting the ends of the side membersto the ends of the end 75 members, means extended from the sections ofthe end members for detachable connection to the ends of said device forsuspending the frame above and in inwardly disposed relation with respect to said device, the side members of said frame forming spacedparallel tracks, a horizontally extensible and retractible carriagetravelling on said tracks and including front and rear verticallyadjustable portions, and a horizontally extensible and retractiblearrestor of angle-shaped form having rearwardly extending lower portionsfixed to the said forward portion of the carriage and upper portions.

JOSEPH ROBERT SMETANA.

horizontally disposed telescopic

